ICYMI: ACA Enrollment Drops by Over 20% in Thirty States
13,529 fewer Iowans selected a plan through the ACA Marketplace in 2026
DES MOINES — According to new enrollment drop data, more than one in five people who enrolled in health insurance through HealthCare.gov this year were dropped from coverage for failing to pay their first month’s premium. The nearly 21% decline in enrollment in the 30 states using the federal marketplace is significantly higher than last year.
Republicans ended the ACA subsidies, which made premium costs for many Americans skyrocket to unseen heights. The devastating results are evident; ACA enrollment is down three million from one year ago. Since then, 13,529 fewer Iowans have enrolled in health insurance through HealthCare.gov — and even more were dropped from coverage after being unable to afford their first month’s premium.
That means millions of Americans are suffering without proper treatment, or are waiting until their conditions become life-threatening to head to the emergency room. This costs taxpayers much more than it would have if they had been able to address their medical problems from the start.
“Republicans have forced millions of Americans off their healthcare plans and the consequences will be as devastating as they are preventable,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart. “Millions of Americans are going without the care they need, millions of Americans are suffering through conditions they once found treatable, and millions of Americans are increasing the costs of healthcare for all Americans when they’re forced to go to the emergency room when their condition becomes too severe to ignore. Republicans’ decision to cut ACA subsidies isn’t only morally callous, it’s expensive and poor financial policy as well.”
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